1

A Day
Observed
A story presented by
Scene 1:
‘Morning’

It was a bright cold day with glassy surfaces that looked hard.
Into the square frame he stood as if in a dream.

What emerged was precisely what he expected to find: a reflection of memory images. Contemplating his face in the photo frame he waited.

1960s lucite and chrome 3 image photo frame

By the steady hands of his watch, he listened to time. Every day for the past sixteen days he saw her. Silver lingered in the crease of
an open book.

Rolex burlwood dial, Jubilee bracelet Miniature
oar English university trophy, sterling silver.

So absorbed in his thoughts
he hardly saw the platinum catch-all, the key, or the revelation locked inside those lapis lazuli cufflinks tossed unmistakably in cold blue.

Hans Hanson catch-all. Mid-century, Danish sterling silver. Stirrup money clip, by Hermès. Padlock keyring, sterling silver " Tie bar-slide " Round lapis lazuli cufflinks" Square cufflinks, two tone rose and yellow gold, diamond."

Only by whirling on his heel could he hope to comprehend
the panorama.

Shoe horn, circa 1930. American sterling silver
Scene 2:
‘Noon’

He remained.Trapped in that enormous room,
unmistakably familiar in feeling yet so peculiar.

Above the mantle was
displayed an Austrian hound
of impeccable integrity.

Hagenauer sculpture, 1930

His gaze fell on the letter opener. By accident she had learnt more about his life from the contents of that letter than anywhere.

Dunhill letter opener with lighter top, circa 1950

Cleopatra’s eye reflected
the sun. Through the hypnotism
of precious metals there
emerged a dark slender shadow.

Cleopatra’s eye magnifying glass. Mid-century, gold plated
Hermès weighted pen. Silver plated.

A lighter presented itself, smooth to the touch
it gave the impression of
intelligent company.

Table lighter St Dupont, circa 1960. Gold plate
Scene 3:
‘Evening’

All this time light was receding from the room.

“I should explain why I spend so much time here”, said the silhouette. Leaves moved like shadows across her eyes.

Hermès rope bottle opener. Plated silver.

It’s not too late to turn back. Time moved with faint sounds.

Venini hourglass. Hand-blown lurid Murano glass.

He unscrewed the telescopic cup, rolled and remained still. Black eyes on the dice prophesied a new cycle.

Telescopic cup, J. E. Cauldwell. Gold plated. Dice,
Cartier for America. Vitreous enamel glass, silver

Staring down at the varnished surface her mouth worried him while her eyes examined the gold cufflink.

Audemar Piguet evening watch. gold plated, Roman dial, alligator strap
Scene 4:
‘Night’

Everything went crashing black.

Pale graceful hands placed
the gold stud box delicately
on the table.

Men’s Edwardian jewellery box, 1910. Gold plated.
Mid-century British cigar ashtray. Sterling silver and crystal.

He lit a match to make sure the watch had really stopped. Smoke lingered from its vesta case.

Realist wrapped tobacco leaf march vesta. Silver.

As the travel clock neared
one the figure vanished into dappled shadows.

Art Deco Jaeger LeCoultre travel clock.
Gold and silver plated. Retailed by Aspray.

On the newly varnished table two bronze shot cups sat alive like in a dream.

Tooth shot cup by Foundwell. Bronze and silver plated.
Set of 4, 3 silver 1 gold. Heath & Midleton champagne decanters circa 1900.
Sterling silver and glass.
The End

‘A DAY OBSERVED’
 A story by FOUNDWELL
Photography Matthieu Lavanchy, creative direction OK-RM,
notes by Kate O’Brien and objects selected by Alan Bedwell

‘A DAY OBSERVED’
 A story by FOUNDWELL
Photography Matthieu Lavanchy,
creative direction OK-RM
notes by Kate O’Brien
and objects selected by Alan Bedwell

Scene 1:
‘Morning’
Scene 2:
‘Noon’
Scene 3:
‘Evening’
Scene 4:
‘Night’
The End

Early and Rare Sterling Silver Gorham Martini Mixing Bucket

Golf Cocktail Shaker
and Matching Golf Bag Cup

Sterling Silver Woven Bottle Coaster

Foundwell

A SELECTION OF ITEMS BY THE PRODUCER OF
CRAFTED GOODS & PURVEYOR OF ANTIQUE WATCHES,
JEWELLERY & OTHER SUCH OBJECTS
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Hermès Travel Alarm Clock

Hermès Travel Alarm Clock


A gold plated travel alarm clock. This is a very handsome travel, desk or bedside clock made by one of the powerhouses in luxury retail; Hermés. These small time pieces were created as essential part of day to day life before the advent of the cell phone.  Now, everyone takes it for granted to have an alarm and accurate time piece on them at all times.  Back in the 1970's and '80's, when these items were created and very popular, these were packed into travel bags and kept on desks and bedside tables.

The case of this clock, made in solid brass, is gold plated and features a tartan style window pane detailing thought out the body.  This wonderfully detailed case frames a stunning matte black dial that has faded over the years to an almost anthracite colour.  The printing on the dial is gilt, that really pops from the dark background.  The dial design is simple, and elegant, as one would come to expect from the luxury french atelier.  There is a cross hair pattern along with a large "H" at the twelve o’clock position. The dial has luminous material applied to it, as was common with coocks and watches from this time.  There is the " T Swiss Made T" gilt printing at the base of the dial for Tritium luminous material. This is also applied to the hour markers in the form of small dot markers.  Also, there is lume found applied through the center of the dagger shaped gold plated hand set.  There is an additional alarm hand with an attractive and distinctive red enamel small arrow head at the tip.  The dial is in superb condition throughout.

The clock was made for Hermés by Luxor.  They manufactured a number of clocks and watches for the brand during this period.  The clock is powered by a manually wound caliber 1730, that was manufactured by A. Schild  movement.  A classic alarm movement that was used by many watch companies at the time as well. It is wound and set by lifting up the hinged back lid.  There is the typical two crown layout found internally.  Each one needs to be wound and then set in order to work. They can also work independently, meaning the clock can run without the alarm.

The clock is presented in excellent overall condition.  The case is not polished and the condition of the gilding is excellent.  There is some slight plate loss on the back of the clock.  The dial is perfect and the movement is working without issue. The clock is presented in an orange Hermés round box, not original to the piece.  But, genuine Hermés.

Made in Switzerland, circa 1980's

Price $945.00

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Item Dimensions
Height
1.75 inches (4.445cm)
Width
1.45 inches (3.683cm)